President Donald Trump has ordered the immediate firing of Dr. Erika McEntarfer, the nation’s commissioner of labor statistics, accusing her of “faking” jobs data to boost Democrats before the 2024 election.
In a blistering Truth Social post, Trump claimed McEntarfer — a Biden appointee — manipulated employment figures to make the economy look stronger ahead of Election Day.
“We need accurate jobs numbers,” Trump wrote. “I have directed my team to fire this Biden political appointee, IMMEDIATELY. She will be replaced with someone much more competent and qualified.”
Without offering evidence, Trump alleged the pre-election reports were “phony” and said the proof came when the numbers were sharply revised downward after November.
The Flashpoint
The latest July jobs report delivered a blow to the White House narrative:
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73,000 jobs added — far below the 100,000 forecast.
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Unemployment up to 4.2%.
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May and June’s job gains slashed by 258,000 in revisions.
Hiring growth is now the weakest in months, with analysts warning July’s figure could still be revised into negative territory.
Trump pounced on the revisions, blasting McEntarfer for a pattern of inflated pre-election numbers followed by steep downward corrections.
“This is the same Bureau of Labor Statistics that overstated job growth in March by 818,000 and, right before the 2024 election, by another 112,000,” Trump said. “No one can be that wrong — unless it’s on purpose.”
Market Jitters & Fed Frustration
The disappointing report rattled markets, with the S&P 500 and Nasdaq sliding in pre-market trading. Trump also renewed his attacks on Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell, calling him “Jerome ‘Too Late’ Powell” for holding interest rates steady in July.
“Too little, too late. DROP THE RATE!” Trump demanded.
Powell recently warned Trump’s new tariffs are beginning to push up prices — potentially fueling inflation.
Political Fallout
Critics say Trump’s decision to oust McEntarfer threatens the independence of U.S. economic data.
Sen. Mark Warner (D-VA) blasted the move:
“Trump is trying to send the jobs data into the same dark vault where he’s hiding the Epstein report. This is the most dangerous and corrupt attack on the independence of U.S. economic data in American history.”
McEntarfer, a career economist with two decades in labor market analysis, previously worked at the Census Bureau, Treasury Department, and Biden’s Council of Economic Advisors. She has not yet commented on her firing.